By Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel posted in Premises Liability on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Bad landlords should be held responsible for any apartment complex accident in New York City that their negligence contributes to. The law requires that these individuals and corporations maintain reasonably safe and secure housing for every resident. However, as The New York City Public Advocate's Worst Landlord Watch List indicates, many of these poor landlords allow repeated safety violations to occur; let buildings fall into disrepair, and fail to respond to complaints about potential hazards in a timely fashion.

Indeed, this year's list includes many who were on last year's list as well. In fact, roughly 1 in 8 of these bad landlords have been on the Watch List for the past four years in a row. And these landlords aren't responsible for just one property. Indeed, the number of buildings under the ownership and/or management of these uncaring landlords number in the dozens and are spread all across the city. Statistics show that when potential safety risks aren't addressed, apartment complex accidents are likely to occur.

The list of potential hazards run from slip and fall accident in apartment stairwells or lobby floors because of poor lighting and unremoved garbage or debris left behind to devastating and potentially deadly apartment fires. Less-immediate dangers include the build-up of harmful mold, unhealthy conditions caused by pests, and non-working utilities like hot water and electricity-all of which can contribute to a wide array of illnesses and injuries.

While landlords face fines and perhaps even jail time if they fail to correct known safety hazards, victims who are injured because of a landlord's negligence can hold that individual or the company financially responsible for their injuries. Proving their case, however, can be difficult.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.